Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops from white blood cells called lymphocytes.
The cancerous cells then predominately build up in lymph nodes—enlarging them to form tumors.
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However, it may also develop in other parts of the lymphatic system, such as the spleen, bone marrow, blood, or even other organs.
The lymphatic system also includes lymphatic vessels, which provide the means for the cancerous cells to circulate throughout the body.
The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system.
Types of
Lymphoma
There are two main groups of lymphoma—Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin (NHL).
Differences exist among the various types of lymphomas, but all affect the cells that play a role in the body’s immune system.
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Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is the least common form of this disease.
A microscopic exam of a tissue biopsy is to necessary to differentiate between Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. If the abnormal cells are identified as Reed-Sternberg cells, then the diagnosis is HL, of which there are six sub-types.
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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of cancer affecting lymphocytes.
There are many sub-types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types. Each type is different, behaves differently and requires unique treatment options.
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A subtype of NHL is Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
treatment
Options
Currently, medical oncologists base their treatment strategy on standard chemotherapy protocols for specific types of cancer.
For NHL patients, CHOP treatment where C =Cyclophosphamide, H = Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, O = vincristine (also called Oncovin) and P = Prednisone is the most widely used.
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ABVD (Adriamycin (doxorubicin), Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine), is among the most common therapies for HL.
However, many other protocols are in use or being tested.
These protocols, developed over years of clinical trials, assign patients to the drugs for which they have the greatest statistical probability of response.
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The fact that all patients with lymphoma will have an equal likelihood of response to a drug does not mean they will respond equally.
In some instances, the addition of a drug might be recommended, like etoposide for EPOCH. In other circumstances, more intense dosing may be preferred like Hyper-CVAD.
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Nagourney Cancer Institute uses a functional profiling assay to determine which drugs work best for which patients.
The test exposes living cancer cells obtained from the patient to a variety of chemotherapy drugs and novel compounds.
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This test helps select the most effective and least toxic drug regimen for your lymphoma.
Call us today at 1-800-542-4357 or email us via our CONTACT US page to see how the Nagourney Cancer Institute can help you identify the most effective lymphoma treatment based on your unique cancer cell makeup.
